Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  Hyundai doesnt mean crappy anymore.... - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brian Bolan - July 2 - 11:00 am

  Took a gamble, and bought the Sante Fe, after doing alot of research. I was leery knowing Hyundais past. I was surprised at the level of quality and care in making the product. Granted, the leather seats are... well, cheap looking/feeling. Ive enjoyed a trouble free 120K in daily driving since my purchase in 2005. Cant say one bad thing about it; including my mileage, which has ranged from 21 - 24MPGs. Tooling aroud town, it is considerably less, but still for a SUV, not bad at all. HIGHLY Recommend!

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  My first Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By volkswaggin - July 2 - 8:50 am

  After recommending a 2006 Sonata to my father-in-law last year, he purchased a GLS instead of a Civic or Accord. He loves his Sonata and averages 23 mpg in town. I just traded my 2004 Envoy SLT XL for a new 2007 Sonata Limited with XM. It rides very smooth, is very quiet, and gets very good gas mileage. I really got a super deal from Hyundai of Decatur. I paid less than $19,000 for my 2007 Sonata Limited! I got over $5000 off of the sticker and they are one of the easiest dealers that I have ever dealt with.

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  Excellent starter car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Strawb3rrygash35 - July 1 - 10:17 am

  My parents bought me this car as my first vehicle. A lot more reliable and fun to drive than my sisters Mitsubishi Mirage. This car was bought with only 33,000 miles this past May for only 5,000. Ive had no huge problems. This car is still under warrenty. Good gas milage, never under 30 mpg. Peppy on take off, but doesnt accelerate too great on hills. Tires worn almost out on 35,000 miles. A bit shaky when you hit 65, I think because it needs new tires. The tape player doesnt work and isnt covered under warrenty. Great feature of door handle in the trunk, so if someone is stuck in the trunk, they can open it.

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  Impressed so far. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By scottybpga - July 1 - 6:43 am

  I have had my Sonata Limited for 2 months now, and it has been perfect so far. Great MPG. 35 hwy, and 27 to and from work. I love the navigation and xm data package. Not one rattle and the ride is getting better as the car breaks in. I currently have 4300 miles on the car.

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  The 2016 is even better... - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By Woods46 - June 30 - 12:33 pm

  We had a 2014 Azera(base model) and were quite pleased with the car...but there were a few features that were not on that vehicle - mostly safety related - that I would like to have. We found a 2016 Limited with everything that we wanted. The drivers information and NAV systems have been significantly upgraded. Safety features like blind spot, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control are a real plus. The 2014 is a good car, but we like the updates and the upgrade to the 2016 Limited model...well worth the value to us.

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  Better than the Accord - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By miamitraveler - June 30 - 2:30 am

  Just traded my 2010 Honda Accord ELX for the 2012 Hyundia Sonata GLS. I had considered the 2010 Sonata but I found the interior too cheap looking and then purchased the 2010 Accord. Well what a difference two years make! The 2012 Sonata is a thing of beauty inside and out. The interior is nicer looking than the Camry, Altima, Audi, and BMW. While not as roomy as the Accord particularly for rear passengers, it still offers plenty of leg room. The ride is super smooth and has much better pick up than the Accord. I got all of that in a car that was thousands of dollars less than the 2012 Accord. The Accord is a good car but its looks, interior and exterior, are just plan boring.

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  My Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By j altimus - June 29 - 10:00 pm

  Excellent, beautiful leather interior, attractive body style, drives like a car, comfortable as a expensive auto.

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  The little car that could - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Okie PhD - June 28 - 11:40 pm

  I bought this car in 02 from original owner at 25k miles, now has 70k miles. I have only done regular maintenance, no problems. Gets around 35mpg, good drive to work car. Everything is manual, but that is why it is so inexpensive. Very dependable so far. I bought the car to help out a friend and to replace my 125k fix/repair daily 89 Honda Civic (!) now I will seriously consider Hyundai with other dependable cars on my next purchase.

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  Corners like my old 65 BMW 1600 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sabrina Hill - June 27 - 10:21 am

  When I was stationed in Germany from 1969 to 1971, I had a 1965 BMW. I put a LOT of "spirited driving miles " on it on the two lane "Bundestrasses" and loved the way it cornered. The 2006 Elantra that I bought in May pleasently shocked me by the way IT handles. I set the cruise at 65 to 70 mph, cross my legs at the ankles, and just drive the car through the corners on the two lanes out here in rural Texas. If anything, the car doesnt feel like Im pushing it in the corners, it just goes through them. This will be the first of many Hyundais, when I pay this off, Ill keep it, and replace my 1990 wrangler with a then new Tucson. BTW, I get 36 to the Gal. on the two lanes out here.

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  My First Import - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Nathaniel Haslage - June 25 - 12:31 pm

  My 2005 Accent is the first import I have ever bought, and because of its price and quality it will not be the last Hyundai I buy. I love the excellent gas mileage (Im getting 40mpg), the agility, and the build quality. My last car was a brand new Cavalier that fell apart in about a year. My Accent takes anything I throw at it with a smile. The only downside that I have noticed is the tires. They are weak, and any tiny little piece of debris from feathers to cigarette butts may cause a puncture. Other than that an Accent is a smart choice for budget- conscious commuter.